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“Hopefully he freezes to death.”

“Granger.”

“What? He’s not asking for help, and he rode up here knowing a storm was coming.”

“I know.” Why do I care if my ex is cold or dies? It’s not like he ever worried about me like that.

Turning in his chair, Granger reaches over and grabs my hand, cradles it in both of his. “Talk to me.”

“I hate that I can’t let him suffer. He’s done nothing except make my life hell for weeks and I can’t sit here and let him freeze to death even though he made the decision to be out there without shelter.”

“Your heart’s too pure,” Granger grumbles.

“I wouldn’t say that. In theory I want him to hurt. I want him to know fear the way I have. Lose his home, change jobs, have his car destroyed…” I shrug. “I’d never make any of those things happen though.”

“Then I will.”

“You can’t do that! You’d be as bad as him then. Besides, he broke my protection order twice now. He’ll be arrested.”

“Yes. But that might not stop him. It might make him more determined. Put you in more danger. Especially if they let him out before he goes to court.”

A shudder rattles my spine and my hand trembles in Granger’s. “This isn’t going to end nicely.”

He shakes his head. “No. I don’t think so.”

“Do you think Chief Yunker will get here soon?”

Granger looks at his watch. “He’s probably halfway between here and town by now. I’ve got one of my guys leading him up the mountain.”

“What? Why?”

“Needed a plow to clear the road. Normally wouldn’t bother with another storm rolling in but we’ve got a window of time to catch your ex and I’m taking it.” His hands squeeze mine gently. “I want this over as much as you do.”

“Oh. Of course.” I pull my hand from his, push back my chair, and stand. “You want your home back. Want me⁠—”

“No!”

Before I can move away from the table, Granger is on his feet, his large, callused hands warm against my shoulders, his hold keeping me in place. Bending his knees, he brings his eyes level with mine.

“That is not why I want this over. I want you safe. To be able to come and go as you please. To not worry about the prick sneaking up on you. Hurting you. Most of all, I want this behind you so we can move forward. So we can explore what’s between us.”

I don’t know what to say. The other night he pushed me away and I thought… “Us?”

“Yes. I didn’t reject you the other night. If that’s what you thought, I’m sorry, because it couldn’t be further from the truth. I want you more than my next breath but I don’t want you to be with me because you feel indebted. Like you have to accept my advances because you owe me for helping you.”

“I don’t. Well, I do feel as though I owe you, but I don’t like you and want to kiss you because of those emotions. I’ve never met anyone like you. I want to see if we can be more than friends because, you know, that whole wanting to kiss you thing.” I smile.

“I’m older than you. I’ve lived a lot more⁠—”

“Up here, in the mountains?”

“Well, yes, but I’m not like Felix. I work in Winter Lake. I might run a business up here too, but I’m not a recluse like my nephew.”

“You’re still a mountain man.”

“I am. And that’s another difference. You’ve never lived in the mountains. It can be isolating. Especially in winter. This weekend is a good example. We can get trapped up here for days, weeks.”

“I’m not worried about that. Although, it might be an issue with my job…” I’m more back-office than front end and I’m not sure how much of my work…I frown. “Maybe I should think about a different job.”